UN Security Council condemns deadly attack on peacekeeping mission in Mali

The UN Security Council on Wednesday strongly condemned a suicide attack on a checkpoint of the UN mission in Mali in which a number of peacekeepers have been killed.

"The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the attacks by unidentified armed assailants on the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in Tessalit, Mali, on 23 October 2013," said a press statement released here.

A number of Chadian peacekeepers lost their lives, while others were severely injured and innocent civilians killed, according to UN.

The council members expressed their condolences to the families of the peacekeepers killed in the attacks, as well as to the governments of Mali and Chad and to MINUSMA.

The 15-nation Council reiterated their full support for MINUSMA and stressed that "those responsible for this attack shall be held accountable and called on the government of Mali to swiftly investigate the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice," the statement said.

The Security Council set up the MINUSMA in April to support the West African country's recovery from a coup and the occupation of its north by Islamist fundamentalists, its transition back to stability and democratic governance, and the promotion of human rights and provision of humanitarian aid.